Babies In Nigeria Research Articles

Prevalence, Trends and Predictors of Small Size Babies in Nigeria: Analysis of Data from Two Recent Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys

Background: Despite low birth weight (LBW) role on child growth, development, and survival in developing countries, it has not been given the desired priority in terms of research, at the national level in Nigeria. Our study aims to estimate the trend in the prevalence of small size babies and to identify its predictors using nationally representative data. Methods: We used the 2013 and 2018 data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey using the statistical methods of descriptive analysis and logistic regression modelling. Results: The proportion of babies reported to have small size at birth in Nigeria declined from 14.9% in 2013 to 13.7% in 2018. Various factors from demographic, socio-economic, and health-seeking behaviour were identified as significant predictors. Women who received iron pills and tetanus toxoids during pregnancy had at most 79% and 80% less risk of having small size babies, respectively, than those who received none of these two. Female children had at least 21% more chance of being small in size than male children. Other key predictors were geopolitical region, maternal age at child birth, maternal literacy level, wealth status, religion, source of water supply, number of ANC visits during pregnancy, and desirousness of pregnancy. Conclusion: In light of the adverse effects of low birth weight on child well-being, we recommend the implementation and prioritization of active, resourceful public health interventions that account for the findings of this study, if Nigeria is to sustain the progress achieved so far in reducing its current high rate.

Toxic metals levels in cord and maternal blood and possible association with low birth weight of babies

Background: The birth weight of neonates is a reflection of the maternal health, nutritional status, and environmental exposure to toxic metals. Very few studies have evaluated prenatal exposure to toxic metals and its possible association with small for date’s babies in Nigeria. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury in maternal and cord blood among pregnant women at delivery and to ascertain whether there is any relationship between toxic metals levels and neonatal birth weight. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 subjects were recruited, which included 200 healthy pregnant women who were attending antenatal clinic and 100 age-matched non-pregnant women (controls). The concentrations of toxic metals in the cord and maternal blood were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The maternal and cord blood levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in small for date’s babies than in babies with normal birth weight. There was a significant positive correlation between cord blood lead (r = 0.088, P = 0.02) and cadmium (r = 0.119, P = 0.03) with neonatal birth weight. There was, however, no significant association (r = 0.009; P = 0.89) between mercury and neonatal birth weight. Conclusion: The levels of the measured toxic metals were significantly higher in maternal and cord blood of those who had small for date babies than those who had babies with normal birth weight. This study indicated that increased levels of toxic metals may be associated with small for date’s babies.

Assessment of the effect of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of malaria in pregnancy on birth weight of babies in Nigeria: a life-saving dynamics

Assessment of the effect of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of malaria in pregnancy on birth weight of babies in Nigeria: a life-saving dynamics

Oxygen Saturation Reference Value by Percutaneous Pulse Oximetry in Asymptomatic Newborn Babies in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

About 1/4 of all neonatal deaths in Nigeria are caused by birth asphyxia. Normal values of oxygen saturation vary according to regional altitudes. They are important for the screening of cyanotic congenital heart diseases and during newborn resuscitation. There is a dearth of such information in Nigeria. We determined reference values for oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO2) in asymptomatic newborns aged ≤7 days in Enugu at an altitude of 180 m. The study was cross-sectional. Neonates weighing ≥1500 g at birth were enrolled consecutively. Pre-and post-ductal oxygen saturation was measured using a Datex-Ohmeda Tuffsat® pulse oximeter with neonatal probes. Five hundred and fourteen babies comprising of 24 (4.4%) preterm and 490 (95.3%) term neonates were studied. The mean pre-ductal SpO2 of all babies was 96.1% ± 1.4% and higher than mean post-ductal SpO2 of 95.9% ± 1.4% (p = 0.022). The mean pre-ductal SpO2 were 96.1% ± 1.5% and 96.1% ± 1.3%, (p = 1.000) for males and females, respectively. The mean pre-ductal SpO2 values were higher than the mean post-ductal SpO2 for the corresponding post-natal ages.

Maternal Serum Zinc Levels and Fetal Malnutrition of Term Babies in Nigeria

Maternal Serum Zinc Levels and Fetal Malnutrition of Term Babies in Nigeria

Assessment of effect of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy on birth weight of babies in Nigeria: Life-saving dynamics

Assessment of effect of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy on birth weight of babies in Nigeria: Life-saving dynamics

Experiences of HIV positive mothers who chose not to breastfeed their babies in Nigeria.

HIV positive mothers, who choose not to breastfeed their babies in a predominantly breastfeeding community would face a number of barriers. This study looked at the experiences of HIV positive mothers who chose the no breastfeeding option. Consecutive HIV positive mothers who opted not to breastfeed their infants after infant feeding counselling and whose infants were attending the HIV programme at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria were recruited for the study. Disclosure of HIV serostatus and adherence to no breastfeeding options were evaluated using an interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Of the 62 mothers recruited for the study, 57 (91.94 %) had disclosed their serostatus to at least their partners. Most partners 42 (93.33%) were supportive while three mothers were divorced following disclosure. Thirteen (20.97%) mothers could not comply with no breastfeeding. Non disclosure of serostatus, pressure from extended family and token breastfeeding mitigate against adhering to no breastfeeding by HIV positive mothers.

PIGE-PIXE analysis of human milk

PIGE-PIXE nuclear techniques were employed for the determination of the elemental composition of human breast milk which is the main source of nutrients to babies in Nigeria. Samples were collected from 32 healthy lactating mothers from Obafemi Awolowo Teaching University Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The samples were homogenized and immediately frozen, and then freeze-dried. Pellets were made using a Perkin Elmer instrument and its accessory the 13 mm die. PIGE measurements of light elements were performed using 3.5 MeV collimated protons from the 7 MV CN Van de Graaff accelerator of INFN, LNL, Legnaro (Padova) Italy while PIXE analysis was carried out using 1.8 MeV collimated proton beam from the 2.5 MV AN 2000 Van de Graaff accelerator of the same Institute. The results show the presence of important elements that are essential for growth and development of babies. We searched for certain toxic elements which include As, Cd, Hg, Pb, etc. because of their negative roles in enhancing infant mortality rates, but none of them was detected except Pb.

Factors influencing high rate of ‘born-before-arrival’ babies in Nigeria—a case control study in Ogbomosho

The purposes of this study were to examine the records of the birth-before-arrival mothers in order to identify factors which might explain why so few booked for hospital care and also to identify the post-delivery problem which lead them to seek professional help. Data from the hospital records and interviews with some of the 377 born-before-arrival mothers seen at the Baptist hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria between 1982 and 1985 were analysed using descriptive statistical methods. Findings indicated that 65% of the mothers attending after delivery outside hospital had been delivered by a traditional birth attendant. Of these 73.7% sought hospital attention following retained placenta with bleeding. The first step towards improving perinatal care will be the official integration of the indigenous midwives into the national health services to enhance organized programmes of training for the traditional birth attendants. The implications of these findings suggest that traditional birth attendants and professional carers in Nigeria should improve liaison and cooperation between themselves so as to correct the imbalance in health service provision between the major cities and rural areas.

Effect of kolanut (cola nitida vent) on the anthropometric measurement of newborn babies in Nigeria

The relationship between maternal caffein ingestion (kolanut) during pregnancy and birthweight was investigated in 100 women who delivered at the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Nigeria. Factors such as toxemia of pregnancy, preterm delivery, diabetes which could affect birthweight have been excluded from this study. Anthropometric measurements were taken such as weight, head circumference, and chest circumference. There was a higher percentage of babies whose mothers took kolanut (71%) who had head circumference (30–35cm). This shows that a significant correlation between kolanut consumption and head circumference. A similar correlation was also seen between caffein (kolanut) consumption and the chest circumference. It was also found that 47% of the mothers who ingested kolanut during pregnancy did so to control nausea while in 53% it was habitual practice. 76% of the respondents consumed kolanut in quantities of 13–91 grams weekly. No correlation was found to exist between maternal faccein consumption and birthweight of babies.

Aflatoxins in Breast Milk, Neonatal Cord Blood and Sera of Pregnant Women

AbstractAflatoxins have been commonly found as toxic contaminants of human food in the tropics. They have been detected in the milk of aflatoxin fed animals mainly in the form of Aflatoxin M1 and M2. A study in the United States has shown that aflatoxins cross the complex porcine placenta and exert adverse biological effects on piglets.Investigations in the Sudan, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria sought to confirm the presence of aflatoxins in human breast milk and explored the possibility that aflatoxins cross the human placenta. Breast milk, cord blood and maternal blood were analysed for aflatoxins.Aflatoxins were detected in 37% of 99 Sudanese, 28% of 191 Kenyan and 34% of 510 Ghanaian breast milk samples. In Ghana the rate of detection was higher in the wet (41%) than dry (28%) season.Cord blood was obtained from 282 babies in Ghana, 101 babies in Kenya and 78 babies in Nigeria showed aflatoxins in 31%, 37% and 12% respectively. In Kenya the rate of detection was higher in the wet (52%) than dry (23%) season...

The fate of aflatoxin B 1 in the production of ogi, a Nigerian fermented sorghum porridge

Nigerian sorghum was inoculated with spores of Aspergillus flavus and incubated until mould growth was observed. The grain was then ground and sieved. The meal, containing 2333 μg/kg of aflatoxin B1, was then mixed with uncontaminated material to give two samples containing 200 and 800 μg/kg of aflatoxin. In another set of experiments different levels of pure aflatoxin B1 were used to treat the grain. All samples were then processed into ogi, which is the most important traditional weaning food for babies in Nigeria. With fungal contamination, 33% of the aflatoxin was found in the ogi after processing. With the grain contaminated with pure aflatoxin, 26% was recovered. In both instances traces of the less toxic aflatoxin B2a were found. The addition of boiling water to the ogi to produce the porridge resulted in a further aflatoxin loss of about 3%.